I feel liberated, reborn almost.
I have thrown off the shackles of conformity and it is like a weight has been torn from my shoulders and slung into the wind.
I am a new woman.
Although, don’t let me lie to you.
I must be honest, with such liberty and freedom, inevitably, doubt creeps in.
What if I am despised for what I have done?
What is other parents fail to follow my lead, what if they refute my actions, what if I am ignored in the playground. What if they blame my children for the actions of their mother?
Dear lord, suddenly I am no longer breathing the independent air of one absolved from slavery, but instead I am riddled with holes of worry, petrified of the consequences of actions…
But no,
I will stand strong, my resolve will not falter, I can do this. I can follow through on my actions.
I will do this.
Because tomorrow, January 23rd, 2015. I will welcome eleven eight/nine year old girls into my home. They will play games, eat pizza, snack on strawberries coated in chocolate. They will (hopefully) settle down and watch a film.
They will have fun.
Later we will turn out the lights, set aflame a cake, and sing Happy Birthday to my nine year old girl.
Then as I am ready to collapse into a bottle of gin, other parents will arrive to take them home. I will pass them their coats, show them where their shoes have been neatly stacked. I will wave goodbye as they leave the party.
But it ends there.
I will not hand be handing them a bag of tat, or a copy of one of Roald Dahl’s wonderful novels that they probably already own. If we have not already scoffed it, they can take a piece of cake.
For this is the year, I say no to party bags.
Where I stand up against the plastic sack of rubbers, pencils and teeny tiny bags of Haribos.
Where I put my foot down against little notepads, bouncy balls and other tiny bits that are found down the side of car seats and tucked into fruit bowls.
I am saving other parents from having to dispose of more crap in the home.
I am starting a revolution, leading the cause, changing the future.
I *may* be putting too much thought into my decision….
But who is with me?
yay good for you. The bag and its tat goes into the bin anyway. Viva la revolution.
Yep with you all the way, no party bag tat here! Mich x
Up the revolution *hides a packet of Haribo behind back*
ME ME ME! We had my son’s party last Sunday and I vowed NO more tat – ever again! I took to giving books at one stage but frankly, by the time I’ve forked out for a party I have no interest in throwing even more money (and tat) at your little darlings – nor in you filling my house with tat when the time comes! Let the revolution commence!
*stands in support **realises drank too much post-party gin ***sits down
you aren’t prepared to contribute to tat mountain? but what about me, my child hates other people’s birthday cake, which equals more cake me. Am a big fan of party bags, much as I hate tat, I like cheap sweets and I like delving into a party bag. SWAG-tastic.
Am slightly disappointed and hoping this revolution doesn’t take off…..
Amen to that. I am ready to sign up to the cause. Have literally just thrown away two party bags from last week and added the sweets to the over flowing treat tin. And the bubbles!!! Don’t get me started on the bubbles and the stains they leave on my living room paint. Great post. p.s. did you get away with it ha? x
Haha yes I always have these thoughts and did last week too. But I was weak! I caved in at the last minute and asked my son if he wanted any and he said “yes mum we have to”
Next time I’ll just not ask.
x
Ha ha, I’m so with you on this. There is not much worse than a bag of tat!